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Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Report: Sparano fired as Jets’ OC

As expected, the Jets have fired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, according to a report on espn.com. The move is not surprising, considering Sparano’s offense finished 30th in the NFL in total yardage during the 2012 season. Sparano also was unable to do anything to reverse the slide of QB Mark Sanchez, who had the worst season of his four-year career. Sanchez had 13 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions during 2012 and lost his job to third-stringer Greg McElroy until McElroy suffered a concussion after being sacked 11 times in his lone start against San Diego.
The Jets already had decided not to retain quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh, according to a league source. Cavanaugh was told Monday his contract would not be renewed. Owner Woody Johnson and coach Rex Ryan are scheduled to speak to the media at 11 a.m. today.
Sparano was brought to the Jets by Ryan in Jan. 2012 after the team and former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had mutually parted ways. Sanchez’s performance also had regressed under Schottenheimer, but the slump worsened with Sparano, who was more run-oriented than passing-savvy as a playcaller. Sparano, who was Miami’s head coach from 2008 until being fired in Dec. 2011, also was unable to effectively use Tim Tebow, the Jets’ much-ballyhooed off-season acquisition who became little more than a famous curiosity during the 2012 season.

About

J.P. PELZMAN joined The Record in April 1998. He began his career at the Ocean County Observer in Toms River, where he spent one year before leaving for Newsday on Long Island. At The Record, he was the primary backup on the New York Jets’ beat for nine seasons, from 1998-2006, before becoming the beat writer in 2007. Pelzman also has been The Record’s beat writer for Seton Hall men’s basketball since the 2002-03 season.